(KSNF/KODE) — Valentine’s Day may be a day for many to celebrate their romantic love, but for many people, the day of love is a reminder of previous heartbreak.
For those experiencing heartbreak, February 14 can be an incredibly distressing time. Heartbreak can trigger a condition coined ‘broken heart syndrome,’ prompting a rise in searches of more than 5,000% during the past 30 days, according to recent Google search data.
According to Mayo Clinic, broken heart syndrome is a heart condition that’s often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions. The clinic’s website states, “People with broken heart syndrome may have sudden chest pain or think they’re having a heart attack. Broken heart syndrome affects just part of the heart. It briefly interrupts the way the heart pumps blood. The rest of the heart continues to work as usual. Sometimes the heart contracts more forcefully.”
To raise awareness around the effects of heartbreak on physical and mental well-being — health industry advisors at Compare the Market surveyed people across the nation on their most memorable heartbreak.
Broken heart syndrome is usually temporary, Mayo Clinic reports. However, they do admit some people may continue to feel unwell after the heart is healed. According to Compare the Market’s survey, the average American takes about nine months to recover from a heartbreak.
The study revealed that heartbreak has the biggest effect socially and mentally, with 30% of those surveyed reporting increased stress due to heartbreak and 15% reporting mental health issues. The top ways heartbreak affects everyday life, according to respondents, include:
- Sleeping either too little or too much (35%)
- Loneliness due to socially isolating from friends and family (33%)
- Feelings of distrust within other people (33%)
Medical experts say finding healthy coping mechanisms for heartbreak can help speed up the recovery process.
“For many, breakups are an incredibly stressful experience, and can have a number of consequences on a person’s physical and mental health,” said Hanna Norton with Compare the Market.
Norton, who commented on the study, said finding healthy coping mechanisms for a heartbreak can help speed up the recovery process.
“It’s important to take care of yourself during such times, and rely on safe coping mechanisms to get through the heartache,” said Norton.